Overview
Tax ID Validator works by analyzing the format and structure of US Tax IDs, validating checksums and rules for SSN, EIN, and ITIN. It detects the type automatically, validates against known invalid patterns, and returns formatted and masked versions.
Endpoint
One host, one path per API. The block below shows this call in four languages; every one of them is the same HTTP request. Making requests covers the timeouts, retries and parameter rules that apply to all of them. The SDKs wrap the same call in a typed client.
curl "https://api.apiverve.com/v1/taxidvalidator?taxid=123-45-6789" \
-H "x-api-key: your_api_key_here"const res = await fetch('https://api.apiverve.com/v1/taxidvalidator?taxid=123-45-6789', {
headers: { 'x-api-key': 'your_api_key_here' },
});
if (!res.ok) throw new Error(`${res.status} ${await res.text()}`);
const { data } = await res.json();
console.log(data);import requests
res = requests.get(
"https://api.apiverve.com/v1/taxidvalidator?taxid=123-45-6789",
headers={"x-api-key": "your_api_key_here"},
timeout=15,
)
res.raise_for_status()
print(res.json()["data"])package main
import (
"fmt"
"io"
"net/http"
)
func main() {
req, _ := http.NewRequest("GET", "https://api.apiverve.com/v1/taxidvalidator?taxid=123-45-6789", nil)
req.Header.Set("x-api-key", "your_api_key_here")
res, err := http.DefaultClient.Do(req)
if err != nil {
panic(err)
}
defer res.Body.Close()
out, _ := io.ReadAll(res.Body)
fmt.Println(string(out))
}Replace your_api_key_here with the key from your dashboard. When the inputs arrive as a list rather than one at a time, batch requests run up to 200 of them through this same API in a single call.
Authentication
Send your key in the x-api-key header. That is the only auth step — there is no token exchange and no per-endpoint scope to configure. Authentication covers creating, rotating and revoking keys.
A 401 means the key is missing, invalid or expired. A 403 means the key is valid but not permitted here — blocked by a key restriction or an IP allow-list. Running out of credits is a 429.
Parameters
Sent in the query string. Premium parameters are accepted on every plan but only take effect on plans that include them.
| Parameter | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|
taxidRequired | string | The US Tax ID to validate (SSN, EIN, or ITIN format) |
Response
Every API returns the same three top-level keys, so one response handler covers your whole integration: status, error and data. Only data changes shape. Response format covers the envelope, the other output formats and how premium fields are withheld.
{
"status": "ok",
"error": null,
"data": {
"valid": true,
"taxid": "123-45-6789",
"type": "SSN",
"type_full": "Social Security Number",
"format": "XXX-XX-XXXX",
"normalized": "123-45-6789",
"digits_only": "123456789",
"masked": "***-**-6789",
"last4": "6789",
"is_placeholder": true,
"validation_details": {
"format_valid": true,
"area_number_valid": true,
"group_number_valid": true,
"serial_number_valid": true
},
"risk_score": 35,
"risk_level": "medium",
"error": null
}
}Response fields
Paths are relative to data. Premium fields are absent rather than zeroed on plans that do not include them, so check for presence instead of comparing to 0.
| Field | Type | Example | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
valid | boolean | true | Whether the Tax ID passed validation checks |
taxid | string | "123-45-6789" | The formatted Tax ID with standard formatting applied |
typePremium | string | "SSN" | Abbreviated Tax ID type: SSN, EIN, or ITIN |
type_fullPremium | string | "Social Security Number" | Full name of Tax ID type like Social Security Number |
formatPremium | string | "XXX-XX-XXXX" | Expected format pattern for the Tax ID type |
normalized | string | "123-45-6789" | Tax ID normalized to standard format with hyphens |
digits_only | string | "123456789" | Tax ID with all non-numeric characters removed |
masked | string | "***-**-6789" | Tax ID with sensitive digits masked for privacy protection |
last4 | string | "6789" | Last four digits of the Tax ID only |
is_placeholderPremium | boolean | true | Whether the number is obvious filler (all-identical digits or a simple sequence like 123-45-6789) — true even when it structurally validates |
validation_details | object | {...} | |
format_validPremium | boolean | true | Whether the Tax ID matches the expected format |
area_number_validPremium | boolean | true | Whether SSN area number is valid (first three digits) |
group_number_validPremium | boolean | true | Whether SSN group number is valid (middle two digits) |
serial_number_validPremium | boolean | true | Whether SSN serial number is valid (last four digits) |
risk_scorePremium | number | 35 | Composite 0-100 risk score combining structural validity and placeholder detection (higher is riskier) |
risk_levelPremium | string | "medium" | Risk band derived from the score: low, medium or high |
error | object | null | Error message if validation failed, otherwise null |
Errors
Read the HTTP status first, then error for the specific reason. The body names the parameter that has to change. Error handling covers the full status list and which of them are worth retrying.
| Status | Meaning | What to do |
|---|---|---|
400 | Input was rejected | Read error; it names the parameter. |
401 | Key missing or invalid | Check the header name and the key value. |
403 | Key valid, but not permitted | A key restriction or IP allow-list; see key scoping. |
429 | Rate limited, or out of credits | Read error to tell them apart; see rate limits. |
Use cases
- Form Validation
- Validate Tax IDs in online forms and applications to ensure correct format before submission
- Compliance
- Verify Tax ID format compliance for tax reporting, payroll processing, and financial services
- Data Quality
- Validate Tax IDs in databases during data cleaning and migration to identify invalid entries
- Identity Verification
- Check Tax ID format as part of identity verification processes while maintaining privacy with masking
Other ways to use Tax ID Validator
Set up Tax ID Validator on APIVerve, or reach the same source a different way. Your APIVerve account and credits work on all of them — one key, one balance.
Related
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